CSM’s Global Initiative Committee Invites Public to Learn About Nepalese Food, Music, and Culture Oct. 10

The College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Global Initiatives Committee (GIC) invites students, staff, faculty, and the Southern Maryland community to attend the Nepalese Cultural Educational Panel and पर्व Parva (Celebration) Oct. 10 at the CSM La Plata Campus or via Zoom.  

At the Nepalese panel and parva, the public will learn about the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity in Nepal and the history of Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal. The free event will include folk music, Nepali cultural gastronomy, and a panel discussion on “Cultural literacy and identity of Nepali diaspora in the U.S.” The panelists will explore how Bhutanese refugees and Nepali immigrants who are living in the United States negotiate their life through their learned multiculturalism and linguistic dexterity.  

Panelists include:  

CSM Professor of English Dr. Bishnu Ghimire, pictured right, holds a PhD in English and a master’s in Communication Studies. His areas of scholarly interests include postcolonialism, diaspora, and identity; contemporary English and Anglophone world literatures; and theories of language learning. 

Ghimire is also actively associated with various professional organizations, like Postcolonial Text, College English Association Mid-Atlantic Group (CEA-MAG), and Association of Faculties for Advancement of Community College Teaching (AFACCT). 

Dr. Tika Lamsal, pictured left, is an associate professor of Rhetoric and Language at the University of San Francisco. He teaches courses on rhetoric and composition, cross-cultural communication, and global rhetoric in both Rhetoric and Language Department. Through the lens of critical ethnography, (the study and analysis of human cultures), his research examines the intersection of linguistic, cultural, and multimodal literacies of Nepali diaspora in U.S. contexts to demonstrate how new immigrants and refugees negotiate their ways to academic, cultural, and economic transition by using linguistic and cultural resources in their new home. 

Kiran “Ron” Sitoula, pictured right, immigrated to the United States from Nepal to earn a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Accounting. Sitoula is a strong proponent of responsible progressive ideals and civic engagement in the community. He believes in responsive and efficient local government. In May 2017, he visited Nepal to observe phase I of the local elections. He returned in December with a team from the University of Maryland and Maryland Municipal League at the request of the U.S. Embassy. His team conducted a needs assessment and designed effective hybrid format of courses to help elected local official in Nepal. Sitoula is the founding president of SEBS-North America, a not-for-profit high school alumni organization that raised half million dollars together with other partners for post-earthquake related relief and reconstruction effort in Nepal. 

CSM’s GIC educates the community about international issues by encouraging the development of international initiatives throughout the college and the Southern Maryland community. The GIC proudly hosts events such as this upcoming Nepalese Cultural Educational Panel and Parva and the Latino Educational Panel and Festival held in March at the Leonardtown Campus.    

Calendar:  

Nepalese Culture and Education Panel and पर्व Parva (Celebration). Oct. 10. 2 – 4:30 p.m. La Plata Campus, Campus Center (CC Building), Room 100 and live via Zoom. CSM's Global Initiatives Committee invites the community to learn about the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity in Nepal. The event will feature Nepali Folk Music and a reception featuring Nepali food. The main program will include a panel discussion on "Cultural literacy and identity of Nepali diaspora in the U.S." Free. Registration is required to attend via Zoom. Please visit:  https://www.csmd.edu/calendar/2024/10/nepalese-culture-education-oct10.html.